Here's what you need from a Conference App in 2024 (plus 8 options) |
The year before, many people from the Mighty Team went to Craft and Commerce ConvertKit's annual convention held in Boise, Idaho. The highlight was experiencing as an app that was used for the conference!
The demand for apps at events is growing, with over 72% of organizers saying the app was crucial to the success of their recent conference. According to G2's study, the majority of conference organizers intend to utilize a conference application for things like check-ins, AI or QR codes as well as virtual reality experience.
In this article, we'll pull from both our knowledge and experiences to explore what constitutes a top conference app. We'll cover:
- What makes a great conference app.
- What is the best way to select a mobile conference app.
- 10.10 of the most effective conferences apps available.
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What exactly is a conference application?
The conference app provides the virtual experience of an event that is live, or hybrid. First versions of conference apps were basically mobile conference schedules. As the technology has evolved conferences apps have developed to offer more functions that serve the members - things like managing members' tickets, ticketing as well as more interactive schedules.
But a modern conference app extends beyond an easy calendar. Technology can enhance the experience of conference attendees. Engaging. More successful.
Conference apps can be a software program that
- Helps attendees find and make life-changing friends.
- Allows participants to make contents and contribute to the experience.
- Takes care of payments, registrations and tickets.
- Delivers the conference on your own branded app.
What we have learned by attending a conference through our app
Boise, Idaho was baking during the summer heat. When the conference started, we felt the energy. The conference featured great presenters such as Ali Abdaal and Cody Sanchez, and a session about establishing a million-dollar community with our own CEO, Gina Bianchini.
A lot of the magic was from a great line-up of speakers, a stunning location, and of course 300incredible creators that came together to create the event. The list goes on. This is the stuff each conference should have.
However, behind the scenes there was a different thing taking place:
- Chat on the conference app had been exploding by taking "strategic selfies" (speaker John Meese suggested that we use the pictures")
- The attendees were organising posts, organising, and even running their own awesome meetings for activities like white-water rafting and running and the hike to the canyon at sunrise (for those who could manage the early morning wake awake).
- Creators were sharing the projects they were working on and asking for help-and the mobile conference app was filling to the top with comments!
- Walking around Boise's town, you'll find people who have just met at some of Boise's best restaurants (and it's likely that this had potatoes, in some form or another).
The app has made it possible!
The app for conference wasn't only to schedule and manage tickets. It was a dynamic virtual conference which took place along with the actual conference. Sure the app was populated with conference information that were extremely useful!
It was actually those who attended that made the app for conference come to life with stories, pictures and requests for assistance, and ideas for everything from business ideas to gluten-free dining options within Boise.
This is what helped it function to such a degree. Here's what you should look for in an app for conferences.
What to look for in a conference application
- The schedule of conferences (obviously) However, there are also RSVPs as well as session participation within the app.
- Great communication tools to use for messages and emailing participants , and taking care of support and questions.
- Instruments to connect participants with each other: eg, profile pages, social links and chat as well as messaging. The real magic that happens in a conference app comes when participants can meet and connect with each other-virtual connections that spill out into the real world.
- A variety of features to unleash creativity in attendees. Participants can make content, upload images, write short or long-form text, post videos, and have questions. When the engagement happens within the app-without your being involved, it will increase the worth of your conference. The momentum will keep running until the next conference.
- Registration, payments, and Registration. If your app is supporting the backend for your event, make sure you can collect payments as well as track lists of members and reconnect members at the end of.
- Simple building, hosting, and supporting --it doesn't require a whole team long to build an application for conferences off the ground and looking great.
One of our favorite things which worked with the application
When we consider the factors that made our mobile conference app work, here's what we loved:
- The attendees organically shared the notes they took during sessions via the discussion feeds that were specifically designed for them.
- Live icebreakers which led to users on the app meeting people IRL (ie. "Find another person who's about the same height as you and snap a photo of them ).
- Local Boiseans (is this right?) gatherings to discuss their best local grub spots and excursions. (The singing contest was an absolute hit. )
- A chat in the background in the days before, during, and after the conference keeps on giving. As an example, Natalie Parmenter (the creator of Primary Focus), gave this shoutout in the video above, when fellow attendees helped to create a successful launch for her!
- ConvertKit has opened recording and studio places for customers to drop in and record videos. (If you're ever in Boise, you can schedule an appointment to visit and make use of them free! )
The most effective mobile conference apps available
1. Mighty Pro
the best app for conference participation. application
Mighty Pro builds conference apps deployed on G2's top-rated community management system. Mighty is an application that has over $1 million more communities than any other, including amazing conferences.
Mighty Pro has been building applications with a brand name since. The app portfolio includes more than 400 branded apps that are designed by brands and creators such as Tony Robbins, TED, Mel Robbins, Marie Forleo, Jim Kwik, and Matthew Hussey.
This is what you can do achieve with Mighty Pro.
Interactive scheduling
Mighty allows you to build an interactive conference schedule for your attendees to engage with. You can build landing pages for individual sessions and members can RSVP and chat or message in the meeting. Participants can check out who is coming to the session and even connect.
And of course you are able to make livestreams that stream directly to the audience and/or post session videos to relevant Spaces.
Member Engagement Similar to None Other
Mighty has been the #1 community management software available on G2 for years, and it's not just due to "features."
It's a good idea to attend a conference to meet people, right? And Mighty is equipped with the technology to help make that possible! Everyone who attends is asked to write a biography. They can make use of AI to make one in case they're stuck.
This is where the program builds interactive member lists that can be sorted by hobbies, interests and even by geography. The ability to fly out profiles of members helps to identify interesting individuals, and the AI engine is able to tell the difference between you and someone else. the same and help you start a conversation.
Community at the end of the conference
Mighty offers more content options than just conference essentials, but. It's a great platform for keeping the community alive beyond the conference.
Spaces can be built around 8 different core options: activity feeds, chat members, tables of contents (for courses), events, pages, one occasion, or hashtag. Below are a few ways current Mighty Hosts use these tools after conferences:
- Regional gatherings that are organized by the supermembers.
- Re-cutting the conference materials into a virtual course or any other type of learning.
- Continue to share content around things your members care about.
- Introducing themes, tickets venues, etc. in preparation for the next event and creating buzz.
- Running a livestream or virtual event between conference calls.
Mighty really excels at keeping the engagement and conversation going beyond the convention- if that's what you're looking for.
The conference is running
As far as running the conference, Mighty can handle payments across 135 currencies. The app can offer different tiers and bundles as well being able to control who is able to access which part of the application.
And Mighty has data that you can't get in any other place. They provide the data you need to know which strategies worked best and which wasn't, as well as to identify which members devoted the most time and effort, and to analyze the conference's revenue.
Conference apps with a brand name
If you would like to have your conference app to appear in the App Store or Google Play Store under your company name, this is the way to go.
Here are some Highlights from Mighty Pro:
- The support for branding screen, splash screens, notifications branding, and best practice for app development
- App submissions
- Includes integration with ConvertKit's Professional plan (up to 10,000 customers).
- Support with community strategists who assist you in making your conference successful both in attendance and revenue, and how to grow an event community that operates itself.
The most up-to-date information of more than 400 companies that have 6-and-7-figure revenue and organizations, we'll help you understand not only how you can meet your goals but to exceed those goals.
It is possible to find out more information about Mighty Pro on this page.
or, if you're still not ready to launch an official conference application it's possible to get started on for free.
2. Accelerated Events
A conference management app with a brand name. app
Accelevents' conference app offers tools for registering and check-in to the conference, accessing the schedule, as well as creating an individual schedule. The app is equipped with smart features such as live streaming as well as an online exhibit hall, it is able to manage hybrid or live conferences.
Accelevents also has features for managing members, such as bios and profiles to aid attendees to connect and discover one another. Also, on that day, you are able to do check-ins or print badges. You can even run challenges and polls on the application.
A drawback is the fact that Accelevents users have noted challenges with managing breakout rooms. This is great for running a conference. It's just not as powerful when it comes to linking attendees.
Accelevents has features
- Branded apps for managing your conference registrations, badge printing, and timetable.
- Certain in-app network and connection options like livestreaming, QR scans, virtual sponsorship tables, polls and tables
3. Swapcard
Fantastic application for managing conferences
Swapcard is a cool concept to create a conference application packed with great features. Like Accelevents, Swapcard is good for managing conference agendas. Attendees are able to print badges, scan QR codes, and build a custom schedule using their RSVPs.
It is a great platform for sponsors to promote their content as well, creating areas for content sponsored by sponsors as well as chats and meeting administration.
The best of Swapcard's features are for networking. With attendee profiles and networking-friendly UX to search for and message potential contacts or leads (plus connections to social media profiles), Swapcard is great to make introductions.
Swapcard features
- Conference app (with branded options) to manage registrations, badges, and access management
- A feed for discussion, event guide, personalized suggestions, session ratings, and livestreaming
- Tools for network communication: AI matchmaking, profiles, and messaging
4. Stova
Stova (formerly Aventri & Meetingplay) is a scheduling and management system that is suitable to organize conferences. But, it's important to note that Stove does not offer branded apps (you can host your conference using the Stova application).
Stova was created to host virtual events. It does give it some interesting characteristics for conference. Its most notable features include break-out rooms, livestreaming and chat. Plus, it includes an online scheduler for networking, which is a neat instrument.
Stova additionally offers options that can be useful for organizing and planning events, including the ability to send out emails and budgeting for conferences.
Stova includes
- Excellent virtual-first conference software including livestreaming, breakouts and networking spaces, as well as a virtual lobby
- Conference planning and marketing of events instruments email and budgeting
5. Bevy
Bevy was initially an event app for online and in-person events and it has recently pivoted to community + events. This is great to manage a conference by providing the ability to check in, register, tickets as well as list management. You can host the virtual conference, too. It can do this using chats, virtual meetups, webinars, and recordings, and it has the ability to have discussions. Bevy even includes a drag-and-drop tool for building webpages and landing pages for event websites.
Bevy has great virtual features, but its community features are quite simple. In the end, Bevy hosts forums that offer chat and message options. However, these features are actually quite easy to use. It's not built for the connections that genuine community platforms give users.
Bevy features
- brings community and events together with event management and virtual event production
- Live-based engagement options like chat & messaging forum, webinars, and meetups
- Drag-and-drop tool for creating conference pages
6. CVent
CVent is another conference app that was created for virtual events and managing events. Similar to other apps on the list, it is able to create conference websites, sell tickets, as well as host content. It has event organization tools that can be integrated into live events (things such as venue and hotel options), and a webinar-like option to host virtual event. In fact, it's probably strongest for event planning.
But, CVent is no chat or community options, it's not made to connect attendees to each other.
CVent is a feature of
- App for running an event, with planning, promotion, as well as "day-of" management options.
7. ON24
ON24 is a simple online conference system that functions as a virtual conference app. There are polls and chat features to go along with the webinar. They've also recently added additional features, such as breakout sessions, video chats and more.
With registration as well as a form builder and some ability to customize conference rooms with different the colors, fonts and heroes It's a great, basic virtual conference app.
ON24 features
- Webinar platform with engagement capabilities built-in
8. VFairs
VFairs is a digital and live event application that focuses on conference management features. With registration forms, badge printing venues maps, QR check-in, and agenda building it's an ideal participant-centric software to assist attendees in navigating an event.
VFairs has branded mobile conference apps as well as onsite help for live conference. You can integrate it with your CRM too, and VFairs comes with important event statistics to help you determine what's going on in your conference.
VFairs features
- Registration & ticketing, badge printing, and other day-of management tools.
- Platform for virtual event hosting that incorporates networking, gamification along with other presentation options.
Conclusion
We're all aware of how powerful an event can be helping attendees learn, grow and form connections that which they'll cherish for years to come. However, a conference could also help boost your image also, and increase awareness of your brand while boosting your bottom line.
A great conference software makes all these things happen!
If you'd like to find out more information about getting your own conference that is branded and community app, be sure to check out Mighty Pro. .